Match Preview

Barrow: Preview

This Saturday sees FC Halifax Town host Barrow AFC at The Shay as both sides search for a way into the third round proper of the FA Trophy.

The Shaymen have been in superb form ever since Jim Harvey took the reigns, having not lost a single game under his management.

Harvey also led the side into this stage of the competition with a 5-0 win over Tamworth in the first round in what was just his fourth game in charge.

The Shaymen currently boast one of the best forms of any side in the league, having not lost in their last eight league games, a run which has seen them climb out of the bottom four for the first time this season.

A large factor in Town's recent success has been the incredible goalscoring form of Shaun Tuton who is now up to 10 league goals for the season, including his winner against Macclesfield last weekend. Harvey will be hoping for more of the same from Tuton and the rest of his squad alike.

Barrow, on the other hand have not been enjoying such a positive run of late. They have only had two wins in their last ten league games, over Torquay and Woking.

Elsewhere there have been defeats to Wrexham, Guiseley, Grimsby, Dover and Southport. They will also be still recovering from the shock of their most recent game, a 4-3 defeat at home to Tranmere Rovers.

Having gone into a 3-1 lead, Rovers scored three goals in stoppage time to steal victory away.

Barrow reached this round of the Trophy by beating Sutton Coldfield Town 1-0 in the first round.

In terms of the league, The Shaymen have snuck up on The Bluebirds recently, with Town's recent form putting them 19thin the table just five points and two places behind Barrow in 17th.

Current form

FC Halifax Town – DWWDW

Barrow – WDLDL

Team news

There are no current injury concerns in the squad for Jim Harvey. They will, however, be without Richard Peniket and Kieran Sadlier. Peniket joined Telford on a month’s loan where as Sadlier, who has struggled for match action in recent months, saw his loan deal expire. He has joined Silgo Rovers for the remainder of the season.

Expect a number of changes from Jim Harvey who fielded a number of non-regulars for the first round tie against Tamworth. The likes of Shaquille McDonald and Ben Clappison will no doubt be hoping to get another game shortly after extending their respective loan deals at The Shay.

Club Connections

Over the years there have been many who have played for both Barrow and Halifax.

Eric Harrison, the man behind the Manchester United youth set up that produced 'The Class of 92', including the likes of David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Gary Neville, also had a very successful career for Both Town and Barrow.

He started his career with Town, making 199 league appearances between 1957 and 1964 before moving on. He then went on to represent Barrow 162 times, spanning two different spells before finishing his playing career with Scarborough and moving into coaching.

Other players to have represented both clubs include: Craig Nelthorpe, Jamie Patterson and Adam Quinn.

We've Met Before.

Since Town reformed in 2008, they have only played Barrow once before in what proved to be a momentous day earlier this season.

Having not won a game in six attempts, The Shaymen registered their first win of the season at home to Barrow back in August.

Having fallen behind, a late rally saw goals from Shaun Tuton, CJ Hamilton and Jordan Burrow, which sealed the victory.

Under the previous guise of Halifax Town A.F.C, there were plenty of meetings with Barrow. Here is how their record shapes up: